The cable and wire manufacturer will build a new plant at its existing Orangeburg site to keep up with demand for high-voltage electric cable, according to the Office of the Governor.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Okonite Company plans to expand its Orangeburg County operations with a $400 million investment that will create 105 new jobs, according to the Office of the Governor.
The company will construct a roughly 552,000-square-foot manufacturing plant on its existing property at 2276 Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, according to the governor’s office. The addition is meant to meet rising demand for Okonite’s high-voltage electric cable products.
Construction is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and is expected to take two to three years to finish, according to the governor’s office.
Founded in 1878, Okonite is among the oldest electrical wire and cable insulators in the country, serving industries such as electric utility, oil and gas, railroad and chemical, according to the governor’s office. The company runs 34 locations nationwide, including two production facilities already in Orangeburg County.
The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits tied to the project and awarded a $1.5 million Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Orangeburg County to help cover site preparation and building costs, according to the governor’s office.
“We thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Orangeburg County Development Commission and the city of Orangeburg for their invaluable help and prompt actions in making our expansion possible,” said Okonite CEO and Board Chairman David J. Sokira.
“Okonite’s expansion in Orangeburg County is a testament to the economic opportunities and skilled workforce available here in the Palmetto State. We are pleased to see the company continue to invest in South Carolina and create 105 new jobs in Orangeburg County,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.
“With an investment of $400 million, Okonite’s expanded manufacturing operations will be an exciting economic advantage for Orangeburg County. We congratulate the company on its decision to deepen its roots in South Carolina and strengthen our state’s industrial capacity,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.
“We are truly grateful for Okonite and the commitment they have shown to Orangeburg County over the years. An investment of more than $400 million and 105 new jobs means more opportunities for our citizens and more quality jobs right here at home. We thank them for continuing to invest in our people and for remaining an important part of the fabric of Orangeburg County,” said Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright.
Those interested in employment with Okonite can visit the company’s careers page, according to the governor’s office.
Based on a release from Office of the Governor.
